Week 8 preview: New Oxford hosts West York for clash between Division II leaders

Week 8 of the high school football season is almost here , and with it comes another slate of must-see games around the YAIAA.

Two of the top teams in Division II, West York and New Oxford, finally square off in the final weeks of the regular season. Littlestown seeks to maintain its tie for first place in the Division III race. Kennard-Dale hosts York Suburban as both teams are in the hunt to end their losing streaks.

Check out previews for the top three games to keep an eye on in Week 8:

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West York (6-1, 3-0) at New Oxford (7-0, 4-0)

This matchup might as well have been circled from the get-go. The Bulldogs and the Colonials have been the premier leaders in Division II since the year began, and the only loss between them was the Bulldogs' loss to South Western last week.

New Oxford won its game against South Western and have only allowed 20 points or more in a game twice this year. Clayton Nieves is bound to be a threat as well thanks to his tendency to put up 100-plus rushing yards per game.

Keep an eye out for the rushing attack on both sides, though. Issac Roberts is a mobile threat the Bulldogs have deployed to incredible results, plus a few key runs from senior Jayden Welch are bound to test New Oxford's defense.

Littlestown (5-2, 4-0) at Delone Catholic (5-2, 3-1)

On one hand, this week provides the Thunderbolts the chance to maintain their spot in the Division III race. The Squires are their first major test in a stringent three week stretch to end the year, and the Thunderbolts are fresh off a rest week after their game with Fairfield was canceled.

Outside of the rest week, Littlestown has won its last two games by decent margins − a 20-point win over Hanover and a 21-6 win over York Catholic. A potential win over Delone Catholic would keep Littlestown in a dead heat for the Division III title and provide momentum as their final two games against Biglerville and Bermudian Springs sneak into view.

The Squires, meanwhile, can wrestle their way back into second place with a win on Friday. Their offense has been held under 20 points only twice this season, and the 40-7 win over Hanover last week let them stretch their legs ahead of Week 8. Braden Smith came up big against the Nighthawks, and he may prove to be another deciding factor this week.

York Suburban (0-7, 0-4) at Kennard-Dale (2-5, 0-3)

The Trojans have been fighting for leads in their last two games, both of which were decided by a touchdown or less. Their game against Dover only came down to two points, in fact. Plus, they gave Susquehannock a fight last week. If there's one thing the Trojans have shown over the last two weeks, it's that they won't go down without a fight.

Kennard-Dale is in much the same position. It has the opportunity to halt a six-game losing streak and reignite its offense. The Rams' opponents, however, have included West York, New Oxford, Eastern York and Spring Grove. That's a tough slate for any Division II team.

Someone's got to give. Either the Trojans notch their first win of the season, or the Rams break their losing streak after six weeks.

Friday's Week 8 games

• Dallastown at Dover
• Northeastern at South Western
• Red Lion at Central York
• Susquehannock at Eastern York
• York High at Spring Grove
• York Catholic at Bermudian Springs
• Hanover at Biglerville

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Week 8 preview: New Oxford hosts West York for clash between Division II leaders